There is No Excuse—is There?

In the United States 100 million people don’t go to church at all. It is predicted that in 2050 ten percent will attend! This is a scary statistic. I believe that many of the problems that America is currently experiencing flow from a nation that is ignoring or overlooking the importance of God. Many believe in God, but are increasingly devaluing the importance of His church. The church was God’s idea not man’s invention.

If you have been listening to what I have been saying or writing recently, you will recognize a theme. I have been reminding the people of Hannaford about the importance of being faithful in church. This has very little to do with the fact that I pastor the church. It would appear to some that I am just trying to keep the church building full. I would enjoy that; however, it goes beyond that.

To have a healthy church, you need healthy Christians. It is virtually impossible for a person to be spiritually healthy without the constant benefits that a church offers. I am concerned about spiritual health.

When you look through the Bible, you should notice a familiar theme in the New Testament. The book of Romans was written to the church in Rome. Galatians was written to the churches in Galicia. I & II Corinthians were written to the church in Corinth. Ephesians was written to the church in Ephesus. Philippians was written to the church in Philippi.

You get the idea. A good portion of the New Testament was written to churches. There must have been a reason for that or God would not have spent so much of the Bible talking about the institution of the church.

Why is the church so important? The church matters to God...
• because it is made up of people that matter to God.
• because it is the earthly manifestation of His presence.
• because it is a crucial part of His plan for this world.
• because it is His place for us to grow and mature in our faith.

The church is the place designed by God for His people to grow together in their faith. We need each other.

With two church services on Sunday and one on Thursday night, there are very few reasons why everyone cannot attend church on a weekly basis this summer. It is important for you and for the church.

I also want to remind you that the prospective worship pastor and his wife, Michael & Heather, will be in the Thursday night services and both Sunday Services. Also bring your father; we have a gift for him.

Dick Crosby, Senior Pastor

The Church is Community

One problem of Christianity in 2009 is the failure to see the value a specific church offers to an individual person. Biblically, the church is not a part of the cultural community. It’s a whole new community. Recognizing the value of that community to its fullest will bring home the truth that Christians cannot achieve or maintain spiritual health apart from dedicated involvement in a church.

A believer receives great value in the support received from other believers who hold the same values. People of similar principles serve to strengthen each other’s resolve. That is an extremely valuable community.

Rick Warren states in his book, The Purpose Driven Life - 40 Days of Purpose, pg. 130, “You are called to belong, not just believe. Even in the perfect, sinless environment of Eden, God said, 'It is not good for man to be alone.' We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, and formed for a family, and none of us can fulfill God’s purpose by ourselves.”

He goes on to say on page 132, “The Bible knows nothing of solitary saints or spiritual hermits isolated from other believers and deprived of fellowship. Except for a few important instances referring to all believers throughout history, almost every time the word church is used in the Bible it refers to a local, visible congregation. The New Testament assumes membership in a local congregation. The only Christians not members of a local fellowship were those under church discipline who had been removed from the fellowship because of gross public sin.” (I Cor. 5:1-13; Gal. 6:1-5)

The question then, in my view, should not be, Why be part of a church? but instead Shouldn’t I make sure to be a faith part of such a caring community?

This is one reason we have begun at Hannaford a Thursday night church service. Each Thursday at 6:30 pm, we shall conduct a church service for those who would be unable to come on Sunday morning. In my opinion Sundays are best, but sometimes Thursdays will be the only option. We expect to see summertime church attendances soar, not subside.

Dick Crosby, Senior Pastor